Introducing a new puppy or rescue to an existing dog household
Introducing a new puppy to an existing dog is a delicate process. Here are some tips to help make the introduction as smooth and positive fas possible for everyone:
1. Prepare A Puppy Zone Ahead of Time
Make sure each dog has their own space set up, your new puppy should have a safe puppy zone, whether it be behind a baby gate or in a play pen with their own bed and toys. This will help avoid competition over resources and give each dog a place to retreat when they need a break to rest and sleep.
2. Choose a Neutral Meeting Place
It’s best to introduce dogs in a neutral location, like a park, where your existing dog won't feel the need to defend their territory.
Keep both dogs on slack leashes, but allow them room to move naturally and create space if they need to move away. You can start by walking them parallel to other with enough distance that they can see each other without contact and feeling pressured to interact.
3. Keep the First Meetings Short and Positive
Prioritse positive exposure rather than interaction. Allow the dogs to approach each other calmly. Watch their body language closely. Loose, wagging tails and relaxed body language overall are good signs. If either dog looks stiff, growls, or shows other signs of discomfort, give them plenty of space and try again another day.
Praise and reward both dogs for calm, loose and/or neutral behaviour.
4. Supervise Indoor Interactions
Once they’ve met outside a few times, bring them indoors but keep the initial time together short and positive. Continue to supervise their interactions closely, especially during the first few weeks.
If your older dog/s seems overwhelmed or irritated, allow them to have a break away from the puppy. Puppies can be energetic and persistent, so your older dog/s will need a little peace and quiet sometimes.
5. Manage Resources
Feed the dogs separately and give treats, toys, and chews individually to avoid any tension or guarding behaviour developing.
Make sure your existing dog doesn’t feel like they’re losing out on attention. Spend quality one-on-one time with both dogs, reinforcing good behaviours.
6. Facilitate Healthy Play
Puppies can sometimes annoy older dogs with their energy and curiosity. Help the puppy learn boundaries by redirecting their behaviour onto large toys in their puppy zone when play gets too rough.
If your older dog tells the puppy to back off with a growl or a snarl, do not punish them as this is them communicating they’ve had enough or it’s too much, respond to what they are saying and step in before they need to escalate or if either dog seems very stressed.
7. Go Slow, Less is More…
It can take time for dogs to adjust to each other. Be patient and go at their pace. Some dogs become fast friends, while others might need more time to warm up to the new addition. Some dogs will never like each other, just like humans relationships.
With patience, supervision, and positive reinforcement, your existing dog/s and new puppy can learn to get along and maybe even become great companions.